Watchman&#39;s time-detector.



H. S. PRENTISS, DEGD.

e. L. a E. n. PBENTISS. EXEOUTORS.

WATCHMANS TIME DETECTOR. APPLICATION nmin JULY 9, 1907.

973,383. Patented Oct. 18,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WiTNESSES: 13 12. Ami-H, deceased.

- ATTORNEY H. S. PRENTISS, DEGD.

G. L. & E. E. PRENTISS, EXEGUfIORS. WATOHMANS TIME DETECTOR. APPLICATION FILED JULYB, 1907.

Patented Oct. 18,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. c. THE NORRIS PETERS p0,, WASHINGTON. u

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE LEWIS PRENTISS, OF NEW YQRK, N. Y., AND ELIZA R. PRENTISS, OF ELIZA- BETH, NEW JERSEY, EXECUTORS OF HENRY S. PRENTISS, DECEASED.

WATCHIVIANS TIME-DETECTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that HENRY S. PRENTISS, deceased, formerly a citizen of the United States, and resident of Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, did in his lifetime invent certain new and useful Improvements in Vatchmens Time- Detectors; and we, GEORGE L. PRENTISS and ELIZA R. PRENTISS, executor and eXecutriX, do hereby declare the following to be a specification thereof.

My invention relates to watchmens time detectors, and it has for its object a device of this character which shall be more secure against dishonest watchmen by providing in addition to the usual elements of a watchmans time detector, means whereby the distance which said detector is carried may be indicated or recorded.

For this purpose my invention consists in combining with the usual form of watchmans time detector some means such as a pedometer, to indicate or record the distance that the detector has been carried.

The nature of my invention will be best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of an opened watchmans time detector. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a watchmans time detector arranged also to record the distance said detector has been carrieda portion of the cover, and also of the recording chart or dial being broken away. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the usual form of time detector provided with the distance recording means. Fig. 4L is a front elevation of an improved key with the cover removed. Fig. 5 is a side view of the improved key. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a watchmans time detector with distance recorder, showing marking key in position and having a portion of the cover removed.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, 10 designates a metallic casing provided with a hinged lid 11; or as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6 with said lid and an additional rear cover 12. This cover may also be hinged to the casing if desired.

In Figs. 1, 3 and 6 the lid is shown as provided with the slotted block 17 the upper end of the slot being notched as shown so that the corresponding key can be placed Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 9, 1907.

Patented Oct. 18, 1910.

Serial No. 382,950.

through in one position only. In Figs. 2, 3 and 6 the cover 12 is shown also provided with a slotted block 18.

The lid 11 is locked to the casing 10 in the usual manner, and when the additional cover 12 is employed the two covers are preferably locked to the casing 10 through a single key and other means. As shown in the drawings, this is accomplished by the locking pins 13 projecting from the inner side of the cover 12 and into the slots 14 of the casing, and by means of a bolt 15 which passes through the casing 10 and fits into the tube 16 mounted on the inner side of said cover. This prevents the removal of the cover 12 until the bolt 15 is withdrawn, which can only be done when the lid 11 is unlocked.

The casing 10 serves as a receptacle for the usual clock mechanism adapted to rotate an ordinary time chart or dial 19.

A suitable key provided with type is adapted to be inserted through the slotted block 17 when the lid 11 is closed and to make an indentation upon the dial 19, of paper of suflioient thickness, by pressing the same against the platen 20. I prefer to place a sheet of carbon paper over the dial with the carbon side toward dial so that the indentation will appear more plainly. A record of the time such key is inserted is thus obtained as in the common forms of time detectors.

My invention, however, comprises the additional feature of indicating or recording the distance traversed by a watchman between stations; so that, even should it be possible to tamper with the time record, it would not profit him anything since he must show by other means that he has traversed the distance between the respective stations. This will afford the proper party, by a comparison with the time record, information as to the distance the watchman has walked during known intervals of time. For this purpose, I provide the detector previously described with an indicator or recorder for the distance the detector is carried, for eX- Y casing 22 fastened to the said casing 10, allowing only the arbor 23 of the pedometer to project. To this is secured a carrying flange 2% for the record chart or dial which is held fast by two pointed pins 26 secured to the flange 2% and by the dial holder 2? fitting over same. A platen 28 is also mounted upon the reverse side of the casing 10, and directly beneath the slotted block 18 in the cover 12. The chart or dial passes between the platen 28 and the slotted block 18 and is rotated by the action of the pedometer 21. A record is obtained thereon in the same manner, as in the case of the time chart by forcing the key inwardly against the platen 28.

I prefer to use the form of key illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, which key offers a yielding pressure. The key is provided with a shoulder to prevent it from entering more than the desired distance so that it is not possible to cut up or grind the platen. The said key is designed to enter the slota given distance only but sufficiently to make a distinct indentation or mark upon the record charts. The slotted blocks 17 and 18 project beyond the lid and cover as shown and act a stop in connection with the shoulder 29 of the body portion of the key so that it may notbe forced in beyond a predetermined extent. The springs 30 exert a yielding pressure upon the blade 31 of the key, one end of which is beveled to fit the corresponding slot of the blocks 17 and 18. A second shoulder 32 prevents the blade 31 itself from being forced inwardly against the springs more than the desired amount. The blade 31 is prevented from falling out by means of a cover 33 and pins 35 on said blade fitting the grooves 34 in the body portion and cover.

It is not at all necessary to employ a key adapted to fit a matrix as is the present practice, since a perfectly clear indentation or impression may be made by simply pressing the type of a simple key on the paper held against the platen. The yielding key described prevents the watchman from using more than the necessary pressure and thereby avoids injury to the platen. The sheet of carbon paper when used serves simply to make the record more legible.

By thus combining an indicator or recorder for the distance traversed, with the standard forms of watchmans time detectors, I obtain an additional check upon the watchman; and even should he succeed in tampering with the time record, he would still be obliged to cover the distance required.

I claim:

1. In combination with a watchmans time detector: a pedometer; an arbor actuated thereby; and a recording sheet or dial rotated by said arbor; and means adapted to indicate and record the distance said detector has been carried...

2. In combination with a watchmans time detector: a pedometer; an arbor actuated thereby; a recording sheet or dial rotated by said arbor; and means to mark said recording sheet.

3. Ina watchmans time detector: a pedometer; an arbor actuated thereby; a recording sheet or dial rotated by said arbor; a plat-en beneath said sheet or dial; and a key adapted to mark said sheet when pressed against said platen.

Signed at Elizabeth in the county of Union and State of New Jersey this 21st day of June, 1907.

GEO. LEWIS PRENTISS, ELIZA R. PRENTISS, Executor and emecutriw 0 f the last will and tcstcmtent of Henry S. Prentiss, (deceased.)

Witnesses:

HEN Y H. DRAKE, VARREN R. DIX. 

